24:1 The word of the Lord> came to me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month1:
24:2 “Son of man, write down the name of this day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege2 to Jerusalem3 this very day.
24:3 Recite a proverb to this rebellious house4 and say to them, ‘This is what the sovereign Lord> says:

24:14 “‘I the Lord> have spoken; judgment17 is coming and I will act! I will not relent, or show pity, or be sorry!18 I will judge you19 according to your conduct20 and your deeds, declares the sovereign Lord>.’”

Ezekiel’s Wife Dies

24:15 The word of Lord> came to me:
24:16 “Son of man, realize that I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you with a jolt,21 but you must not mourn or weep or shed tears.
24:17 Groan in silence for the dead,22 but do not perform mourning rites.23 Bind on your turban24 and put your sandals on your feet. Do not cover your lip25 and do not eat food brought by others.”26

24:18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. In the morning27 I acted just as I was commanded.
24:19 Then the people said to me, “Will you not tell us what these things you are doing mean for us?”

24:20 So I said to them: “The word of the Lord> came to me:
24:21 Say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the sovereign Lord> says: Realize I am about to desecrate my sanctuary – the source of your confident pride,28 the object in which your eyes delight,29 and your life’s passion.30 Your very own sons and daughters whom you have left behind will die31 by the sword.
24:22 Then you will do as I have done: You will not cover your lip or eat food brought by others.3224:23 Your turbans will be on your heads and your sandals on your feet; you will not mourn or weep, but you will rot33 for your iniquities34 and groan among yourselves.
24:24 Ezekiel will be an object lesson for you; you will do all that he has done. When it happens, then you will know that I am the sovereign Lord>.’

24:25 “And you, son of man, this is what will happen on the day I take35 from them their stronghold – their beautiful source of joy, the object in which their eyes delight, and the main concern of their lives,36 as well as their sons and daughters:3724:26 On that day a fugitive will come to you to report the news.3824:27 On that day you will be able to speak again;39 you will talk with the fugitive and be silent no longer. You will be an object lesson for them, and they will know that I am the Lord>.”